Sale 1111 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 27-29 October, 2015
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
1c-30c Columbian (230-239). Mint N.H., rich colors, 30c trifle heavy natural gum bend, 15c perfs barely in at right, otherwise Fine-Very Fine
1c-10c Columbian (230-234, 236-237). Mint N.H., rich colors, each selected by the owner for superior centering and eye appeal, 8c slight offset on gum, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, 3c-10c with certificates
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., extraordinarily well-centered, bright color on pristine white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,250.00)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., exceptionally well-centered, wonderfully bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $350.00)
2c Columbian (231). Mint N.H., remarkably well-centered within uncharacteristically wide margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a striking stamp, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,400.00)
2c Columbian (231). Mint N.H., extraordinarily wide margins, choice centering, fresh color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1997 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $575.00)
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., beautifully centered, exceedingly fresh, gorgeous rich color on bright white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,000.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., wide margins that are perfectly balanced all around, gorgeous color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00), only four stamps grade higher
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., extraordinarily wide and beautifully balanced margins, rich color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a striking stamp, ex Dr. Killien, with 2001 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,150.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., uncommonly wide and balanced margins, strong rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,150.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., wide margins, choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $750.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., excellent centering, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1985 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $550.00)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., superb centering with exceptionally wide margins all around, deep rich color and sharp detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED 5-CENT COLUMBIAN IN EVERY REGARD -- COLOR, CENTERING AND GUM.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,000.00)
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H., crisp impression, balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $425.00)
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., extraordinarily well-balanced margins, brilliant color, crisp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED 8-CENT COLUMBIAN.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,500.00). Only three grade higher
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., deep rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., attractive centering, strong color and impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., wonderful color and impression on bright paper, Very Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., extraordinarily well-centered, beautiful rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MARVELOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN - AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $7,500.00). Only three grade higher
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful Mint N.H. example of the 30c Columbian, with 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,500.00)
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $725.00)
50c Columbian (240). Bottom imprint, plate no. 77 and letter "S" block of ten with corner selvage at right, original gum, not hinged but with some slight disturbance, exceptionally deep shadeFINE. A RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF TEN OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The 50c Columbian is far rarer as a plate number block of eight than six. We located only ten plate blocks of this size using Power Search. The 50c was printed from a single plate of 100 subjects, and then divided into panes of 50 (5 x 10) for shipment and sale at post offices. Therefore this plate block represents the two full bottom rows of the right pane.
Scott Retail as plate block of eight and two singles
$1.00 Columbian (241). Mint N.H., fresh color, Fine, with 1980 P.F. certificate for a block and 2003 P.S.E. certificate
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, Very Fine, with 1992 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color, Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate
$1.00 Columbian (241). Brilliant color, neat strike of "Stockbridge Mass. Apr. 15 12AM 1893" circular datestamp, balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $750.00)
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,000.00). Only three have graded higher
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, h.r., wonderfully fresh color and sharp impression, Very Fine
$3.00 Columbian (243). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, well-centered, we believe it is reperfed (at least partially) at bottom but P.S.E. does not agree and it is not mentioned on either accompanying certificate, Very Fine appearance and scarce in Mint N.H. condition, ex "Golden Oak", with 1978 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates as sound (VF 80; SMQ $5,400.00)
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, h.r., with bottom part imprint and plate no. 106 selvage, brilliant color, crisp impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE PART IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER SINGLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 2015 P.F. certificate (VF 80)
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, h.r., nicely balanced margins, fresh color and detailed impression, Very Fine
$4.00 Columbian (244). Mint N.H., brilliant color and detailed impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND IN SUCH A HIGH GRADE.
The $4.00 Columbian depicts the two central figures in the story of Columbus -- Queen Isabella and Columbus himself. The portrait of Isabella is said to be based on a painting in Madrid, but its origins have been lost to history. The portrait of Columbus is based on a painting by the artist Lorenzo Lotto (c. 1480-1556). This portrait of Columbus was painted in 1512 as a commission from Domenico Malpiero, a Venetian senator and historian, and was executed shortly after the death of Columbus in 1504. It is one of the earliest portraits of Columbus (none is known to have been painted in his lifetime). This image was also used for several stamps of Chile.
P.S.E. Encapsulated (XF 90; SMQ $17,000.00). Only four have graded higher (all at 95) and only four others share this grade. In our opinion, this magnificent stamp, graded XF 90 strictly "by the numbers," is the equal of the $4.00 Columbian stamps graded XF-Superb 95.
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, wide margins, rich color, tiny thin specks and reperforated at bottom, Very Fine appearance, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, reperfed at left, Very Fine appearance, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, small h.r., nice centering, bright color, miniscule perf tear at bottom right, Very Fine appearance
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade, well-proportioned marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF 80; SMQ $2,600.00).
$5.00 Columbian (245). Unused (no gum), sharp impression, Fine, with 1983 P.F. certificate